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Motorcycle [recto]

John Singer Sargent

1918

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Motorcycle [recto] is a 1918 graphite by John Singer Sargent, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: John Singer Sargent
When & what style?: 1918
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

Sargent drew a motorcycle in 1918. His pencil lines show the bike’s chrome fenders and leather seat. The paper stays bright white, so the drawing looks almost three-dimensional. Sargent wasn’t usually this spare. Most of his work is big oil portraits. This tiny sheet feels like a quick sketch he didn’t throw away. See how he caught the angle without color. Try comparing it to Sargent, John Singer.

About the artist

Artist

John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.

See the richer artist page